Shape Memory Orthopedic Implant Retainer for Controlled Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shape memory implant instruments are cumbersome, prone to damage, and inefficient in delivering and releasing stored energy during surgical procedures, often requiring complex handling and sterilization, which can lead to suboptimal fixation and increased surgical complexity.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic fixation system comprising an orthopedic implant with a bridge and anchoring segments, and an implant retainer that constrains the implant in its insertion shape, allowing controlled energy delivery and simplifying the implantation and removal processes by preventing premature transition to the natural shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metal forceps are used to hold and insert the shape memory implant, then the implant can be inserted across bones, but the forceps are large and grip the implant at an underside, hindering implantation and requiring sterilization during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within the implant holder, which is a disposable instrument that can be pre-loaded and sterilized separately. The holder has a cavity that receives and constrains the implant, allowing the implant to be inserted without requiring separate forceps manipulation during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant holder is prepared and sterilized in advance before surgery, and the implant is pre-loaded into the holder. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex forceps manipulation and sterilization procedures during the actual surgical procedure.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal instrumentation is used to engage securing features of the implant, then preloading and sterilization can be performed, but the instrumentation must be employed with implants sufficiently large to include multiple securing features
Solution Approach 1:
The implant holder is designed with a universal engagement mechanism that can accommodate implants of various sizes and configurations. The holder engages the implant through a general interface rather than requiring specific securing features, making it adaptable to different implant designs and sizes.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic instrumentation with passage substantially same diameter as implant is used, then implant can be preloaded, but the implant sticks to instrumentation due to frictional engagement, making disengagement problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The implant holder has a passage with a diameter slightly larger than the implant, creating a clearance fit rather than a friction fit. This local dimensional difference at the interface between the holder passage and implant allows the implant to be easily inserted and disengaged without sticking, while still providing sufficient constraint during insertion.
4Ease of operation
If forceps are used to hold the implant, then the implant can be manipulated, but the forceps might damage the implant by stretching, fatiguing, or causing metal-on-metal scraping
Solution Approach 1:
The implant holder serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon's hands and the implant. Instead of forceps directly contacting and potentially damaging the implant, the holder contacts the implant through a protective interface, allowing manipulation while preventing stretching, fatigue, and metal-on-metal scraping damage.
5Ease of manufacture
If instrumentation that substantially conforms to the profile of the shape memory implant is used, then the implant can be preloaded, but this type of instrumentation results in abrupt and sudden release of stored mechanical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The implant holder provides dynamic constraint during insertion, maintaining the implant in its deformed second shape. Upon release, the implant transitions back to its first final shape in a controlled manner, delivering stored mechanical energy gradually to the bone rather than releasing it abruptly, which improves fixation quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures efficient energy delivery to bones, simplifies surgical procedures by controlling energy release, and eliminates the need for tamping, thereby enhancing fixation and reducing surgical complexity and instrument costs.
Implementation Method 1
the implants are mechanically deformed into their second shape and maintained in their second shape by instrumentation such that, upon release from the instrumentation, the implants elastically return to their first final shape from their second shape
Implementation Method 2
Shape memory implants can be composed of a shape memory material such as Nitinol that allows the shape memory implants to have a first final shape and the ability to transform into a second shape
Implementation Method 3
the implant retainer is configured to engage the orthopedic implant and constrain the orthopedic implant in the insertion shape thereby preventing a transition of the orthopedic implant from the insertion shape to the natural shape
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic fixation system includes an orthopedic implant and an implant retainer. The orthopedic implant transitions between a natural shape and an insertion shape whereby a transition of the orthopedic implant from the natural shape to the insertion shape stores deliverable energy and a transition of the orthopedic implant from the insertion shape to the natural shape delivers stored energy. The implant retainer is configured to engage the orthopedic implant and constrain the orthopedic implant in the insertion shape such that the implant grip prevents a transition of the orthopedic implant from the insertion shape to the natural shape.